Radical Change

Is it really possible for someone to change radically?

In one way or another, we are all born with habits we inherit—things we observed while growing up and eventually accepted as normal. For example, our character is often shaped because we react the same way our parents or people we admired reacted.

But just because we learned something or considered it to be a good example doesn’t necessarily mean it was the right way to react. For instance, some young people, when they feel sad, think the solution is to drink or turn to a vice to forget.

Many, because of habits or attitudes like these, end up sinking into their emotions and addictions—until they become someone they don’t even recognize.

That’s how evil works—it finds a small opening and pushes us as deep as possible.

But is it really impossible to recover—or to change completely?

Imagine someone telling you that “recovering before God” is something small. Yes, a person can recover—but that does not mean a complete transformation has taken place.

That’s why the Bible teaches:

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,

‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’

‘Who are You, Lord?’ Saul asked.

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’”

(Acts 9:4–6)

Here, Paul was still known as Saul of Tarsus, and he was the one giving the orders to persecute Christians. It was under his command that Stephen, the evangelist, was sentenced to death.

But in this moment, Saul had an encounter with the Lord Jesus. And that is where Paul was born—where a radical and complete change took place.

That’s why the Bible later says:

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18)

If we think about it, scales fall off an animal when it is cleaned and renewed. In the same way, Saul’s vision changed when those old scales fell—so much so that he was immediately baptized.

“Then Saul—also called Paul—filled with the Holy Spirit…”

(Acts 13:9)

It is through the testimony of Saul’s conversion into Paul that we understand: a radical transformation of our old self can only happen when we have an encounter with the Lord Jesus. Because He doesn’t just give us good character, behavior, or values—He gives us a new birth.

We are born again through His sacrifice. That is why, after that encounter, Saul was no longer mentioned as Saul—but only as Paul.

Radical change happens when we surrender and have a true encounter with Him.

Have you had your encounter with Him?

Last week, the Youth Power Group (YPG) held an event called Radical Change, where young people who had a real encounter with the Lord Jesus shared their testimonies. Topics like the one in this article were discussed. Many youth were strengthened and blessed. It was a meaningful experience for everyone who attended.

We look forward to seeing you at the next one.